Embarrassing, awkward and inconvenient but surprisingly common, nose bleeds (Epistaxis) happen when a blood vessel bursts within your nose.
Nose bleeds are caused commonly by:
- Forceful blowing of your nose, especially if you have a cold
- Nose-picking – this is particularly common in young boys
- Allergies – allergies can irritate the lining of the nose causing inflammation and bleeding
- Injury – facial injury or trauma to the nose can cause swelling and bleeding
- Medication – some drugs (such as Aspirin), and other prescription medicines such as blood thinners to treat heart conditions can cause nose bleeds
Nose bleeds usually stop on their own. Here are 3 tips to stop your nose bleed:
- Tilt your head forwards and pinch your nostrils together between your thumb and forefinger. This will help stop the blood flow and the bleeding will usually stop within 5 minutes.
- If this does not work, as well as applying pressure to the nostrils, also apply something cold such as a flannel, or even better a bag of frozen peas or ice cubes to the root of the nose/forehead for a few minutes.
- Once the nose bleed has stopped, apply some Vaseline inside your nose twice a day for 2 weeks.
If you are suffering from nosebleeds regularly or your nose bleeds are prolonged, you should see a specialist to identify the cause. A specialist can usually cauterise the blood vessel using silver nitrate which will seal the vessel and stop it from bleeding again. You can find more information about Epistaxis here: https://www.theentclinic.co.uk/conditions/nose-conditions/nose-bleeding/
